One no longer has to travel abroad to buy their favorite brand, as most of the international brands have opened stores in India, with many more on the way. French Connection, Aldo, Gucci, Calvin Klein, Ed Hardy, Nautica and many other brands have established a strong position in the Indian retail market. You just have to put the name of the brand and it is available.
Five years ago, if a foreign brand was noticed, it was considered a gift from an overseas friend or relative, a trip abroad, or an online purchase, but due to the revolution in the Indian retail market, international brands have become more familiar and audience.
Foreign brands in India are not limited to one retail category but spread across a wide range of retail products like shoes, cosmetics, clothing, electronics, food, entertainment and others. These retail brands in India cover all price points from cheap to super cool, with many ultra-luxury products retailing in the Indian market.
Footwear retailing in India has also attracted many international brands. Many brands like Aldo, Charles and Keith, Nine West, Bally have already won people’s loyalty. It was a slow entry for fashion footwear, but when it comes to athletic shoes, all three of the biggest brands have been available here for quite some time. Reebok India among them was the first to be launched in India in 1995, followed by Nike and Adidas. Low-priced fashion footwear is mainly offered in Vietnam, China, Thailand and Malaysia. One of the first entries made in the Indian fashion footwear industry was that of Ninewest in 2002 with its first store. Another shoe brand in the Indian shoe market is Bally’s, which was previously only in Mumbai but will soon be seen in other cities including New Delhi. Aldo, which is one of the most sought after and desired brands among the people, was launched in 2005 in Mumbai. The most exciting part about these brands is that they not only supply footwear but also accessories and other things.
Foreign clothing brands have also marked their entry into the Indian retail market. Brands like Mango, Channel, Nautica, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, etc. They have hit the market in a big way. Last year Channel India launched its brand in the country for which various events and shows were organized for the promotion. One such event was held at the Imperial Hotel for which the models were flown in from Paris. The show was a great success leaving a great impact on the buyers.
The food and beverage industry in India is not far behind in attracting foreign investment and joint ventures. Food brands in India such as Costa Coffee, McDonald’s and various pizzerias are favorites of the young and trendy. McDonald’s makes the most profit from them because of their low cost food products that can serve the common man.
Initially found only in five-star hotels, luxury retail stores are not difficult to locate today. With Walmart, Tesco, Debenhams, etc. Whether entering or planning to enter the Indian retail market, India surely has great potential to be the best in the retail business and is ready to welcome international brands. The foreign brands that took the early risks have made massive gains so far, and the companies are on a very positive and confident note, optimistic about the future of the retail scene in the country. Brands love India and for Indians the brand is a style statement.